Documentation regarding the First Minister's attendance at Edinburgh Pride 2024: FOI release

Information requested

All documentation held by the Scottish Government, including correspondence sent/received (including internal), minutes/notes from meetings, briefings, about John Swinney leading Edinburgh Pride on June 22, between May 1 2024 and July 15 2024.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

Please note that the Scottish Government were not responsible for arranging the First Minister's attendance at Edinburgh Pride 2024. The First Minister attended the event in his capacity as leader of the SNP.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption(s) under section(s) s.30(b)(i) (Free and frank provision of advice) and s.38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why that exemption(s) applies are explained below.

S. 30(b)(i) (Free and frank provision of advice) applies as some of the information you have requested contains free and frank advice to the Minsters. This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'.

Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because of the importance of ensuring an open and accountable government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in allowing the Scottish Government to present and provide detailed and unrestricted advice and considerations when advising Ministers.

S.38(1)(b) (personal information) applies to some of the information because it includes names and jobs titles belonging to third parties. This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202400443405 - Information Released - Annex

File type

PDF

File size

194.1 kB